Title
Resolution accepting grant funding assistance from the Illinois Terrorism Task Force for replacement of radio equipment with comparable, narrowband compliant, radio equipment in the amount of $17,429.56.
Staff Summary
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated that all VHF and UHF public safety radios must meet certain new frequency emission standards, known as “narrowbanding,” by January 1, 2013.
• The Illinois Terrorism Task Force (ITTF) announced the availability of a limited amount of grant funding to assist agencies in Illinois by reimbursing up to 50% of the eligible costs of replacing radio equipment that cannot meet the FCC narrowband standards.
• Lake County currently possesses and operates six in-service radios that do not meet the new FCC narrowband standards.
• Radio equipment purchased through this grant will be utilized by the County and other local government agencies for public safety and public service communications.
• The grant requires Lake County to purchase replacement radio equipment in the amount of $17,429.56, and the 50% County match will be provided through the CCIP radio replacement fund account.
• Lake County is required to receive delivery of replacement radio equipment and provide ITTF with proof of purchase by June 30, 2011.
• Revenue from this grant will offset currently budgeted CCIP radio replacement expenses in the amount of $8,714.78, and will enable Lake County to meet the FCC narrowband mandate.
• The County Administrator’s Radio Division will perform the installation of the replacement radio equipment.
Body
WHEREAS, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated that all public safety VHF and UHF radios must comply with a new “narrowband” emission standard by January 1, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Lake County and other local government agencies utilize public safety VHF and UHF base and repeater stations that must meet the new FCC narrowband standards; and
WHEREAS, Lake County has in its possession six (6) in-service public safety base/repeater station radios that cannot be modified to meet the FCC narrowband mandate and that meet eligibility criteria for financial assistance under the Illinois Terrorism Task Force (ITTF) Narrowband Assistance Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, Lake County, on behalf of public safety radio communications, has applied for and been awarded ITTF grant funding for reimbursement of 50% of the total $17,429.56 purchase cost for radio equipment necessary to comply with the FCC narrowband mandate; and
WHEREAS, Lake County is eligible for a 50% reimbursement from the ITTF in the amount of $8,714.78; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that the acceptance of the Illinois Terrorism Task Force (ITTF) Narrowbanding Assistance Grant is hereby authorized, the County Board Chairman is hereby directed to execute the necessary grant paperwork, and the revenue from this grant is designated to be applied to account 101-1103320-84040-000-000-000-0000.
DATED at Waukegan, Lake County, Illinois, on June 14, 2011.